Last updated: 10/07/2023 — Do we take road safety seriously here in the Philippines? The cost of traffic violations may suggest something.
Most traffic offenses are considered misdemeanors. LTO fine and penalty range from P1,000 to P200,000 depending on the violation you committed.
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has four (4) categorizations of their penalties:
- Violations in connection with licensing.
- Violations in connection with motor vehicle registration/renewal/operation.
- Violations in connection with dimensions, specifications, weight, and load limits.
- Violations in connection with franchise.
Violations in connection with licensing
1. Driving without a valid driver’s license or conductor’s permit
Driving without a valid license will result in a fine of ₱3,000. On top of the fine, this will result in you being disqualified from getting a driver’s license and not being able to drive for a year.
Important: Do not drive if you have an expired, revoked, suspended, inappropriate driver’s license restriction code, inappropriate driver’s license classification, fake driver’s license, or expired student’s permit.
2. Driving under the influence of alcohol, dangerous drugs, and/or similar substance.
The RA No. 10586 was signed by the late President Benigno Aquino III on the 27th of May 2013. The law is also known as an Act Penalizing Persons Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Dangerous Drugs, and Other Similar Substances.
The anti-drunk driving law in the Philippines imposes hefty fines and heavy penalties. They are as follows:
| Violation | Penalty |
|---|---|
| No result in homicide or physical injury | – 3-month jail term – ₱20,000 to ₱80,000 fine |
| Result in physical injury | – Article 263 of the Revised Penal Code – ₱100,000 to ₱200,000 fine |
| Result in the loss of life or homicide | – Article 249 of the Revised Penal Code – ₱300,000 to ₱500,000 fine |
3. Reckless driving
Reckless driving can include speeding, tailgating, making dangerous lane changes, ignoring traffic signals, and other actions that put other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians at risk.
| Reckless driving | Fine |
|---|---|
| First offense | ₱2,000 |
| Second offense | ₱3,000 |
| Subsequent offense | ₱10,000 |
4. Not wearing a seatbelt
The penalty for not wearing a seatbelt applies to both the driver and the passengers. You’ll also get a ticket for this if you allow a child 6 years old and below to be seated in the front passenger seat.
| Not wearing a seatbelt | Fine |
|---|---|
| First offense | ₱1,000 |
| Second offense | ₱2,000 |
| Subsequent offense | ₱5,000 |
5. Not wearing a helmet
The penalty for not wearing a helmet also applies to both the driver and the back rider. Get a helmet with a sticker from Philippine Standard (PS) or Import Commodity Clearance (IIC).
| Not wearing a helmet | Fine |
|---|---|
| First offense | ₱1,500 |
| Second offense | ₱3,000 |
| Third offense | ₱5,000 |
| Subsequent offense | ₱10,000 |
6. Failure to carry a driver’s license or official registration
Failure to carry your driver’s license or official registration will result in an LTO fine of ₱1,000. Showing pictures of your driver’s license using your smartphone is not allowed.
7. All other violations of traffic rules and regulation
Other violations of LTO traffic rules and regulations will result in a fine of ₱1,000. This includes the most common traffic violations like:
- Illegal parking
- Disobeying traffic lights
- Driving on prohibited roads
- Failure to darken headlamps
- Illegal turn or overtaking
Violations in connection with registration
8. Unregistered vehicle
Driving an unregistered vehicle will result in a fine of ₱10,000.00. This includes expired, revoked, suspended, invalid registration, fake substitute, replacement engine, or chassis.
9. Unauthorized modification
Modifying your vehicle without any authorization will result in a fine of ₱5,000.00. This includes changes in color and other unauthorized modifications of the standard manufacturer’s specification.
10. Right-hand vehicle
Driving a right-hand vehicle will result in an LTO fine of ₱50,000. According to the Republic Act No. 8506, it is prohibited to operate a right-hand steering wheel motor vehicle on both public and private roads in the Philippines.
11. Without or defective accessories, devices, equipment, and parts
The fine for driving a vehicle with defective parts is ₱5,000. This includes inappropriate use of bells, horns, whistles, blinkers, early warning devices (EWD), etc.
12. Failure to attach or improper attachment of license plates
Improper attachment of license plates will result in a penalty of ₱5,000.
13. Smoke belching
Smoke belching refers to the emission of large amounts of dark, sooty smoke from the exhaust of a vehicle, often caused by a poorly maintained engine or the use of low-quality fuels.
| Smoke belching | Fine |
|---|---|
| First offense | ₱2,000 |
| Second offense | ₱4,000 |
| Third offense | ₱6,000 + 1-year suspension of registration |
| Subsequent offense | 1-year suspension of registration |
14. Fraud in relation to the registration
Fraudulent registration has a fine of ₱3,000. In addition, the car shall be impounded and barred from registration for 1-year.
15. All other violations related to vehicle registration
All other violations related to registration will result in a fine of ₱2,000.
Violations in connection with dimensions, specs, weight, and load limits
16. Overloading beyond the projected width
The fine for overloading beyond the projected width is ₱1,000. The fine will be imposed on the driver of the vehicle, not the owner or operator.
17. Axle overloading
To be computed based on a formula.
18. Passenger bus or truck exceeding 160 kg
A bus or truck exceeding 160 kg will have a fine of ₱1,000. Fine will be imposed on the driver and conductor of the vehicle.
Violations in connection with franchise
19. Colorum violation
A colorum car is a vehicle that operates without a proper franchise or permits from the LTO.
| Vehicle type | Fine |
|---|---|
| Bus | ₱1 Million |
| Trucks | ₱200,000 |
| Jeepneys | ₱50,000 |
| Vans | ₱200,000 |
| Sedans | ₱120,000 |
| MC | ₱6,000 |
20. Refusal to render service to the public
| Refusal to render service | Fine |
|---|---|
| First offense | ₱5,000 |
| Second offense | ₱10,000 and impounding of the unit for 30 days |
| Subsequent offense | ₱15,000 and cancellation of CPC |
21. Overcharging
| Overcharging | Fine |
|---|---|
| First offense | ₱5,000 |
| Second offense | ₱10,000 and impounding of unit for 30 days |
| Subsequent offense | ₱15,000 and cancellation of CPC |
22. Failure to provide proper body markings
| Without body markings | Fine |
|---|---|
| First offense | ₱5,000 |
| Second offense | ₱10,000 and impounding of unit for 30 days |
| Subsequent offense | ₱15,000 and cancellation of CPC |
23. No franchise
| No franchise | Fine |
|---|---|
| First offense | ₱5,000 |
| Second offense | ₱10,000 and impounding of unit for 30 days |
| Subsequent offense | ₱15,000 and cancellation of CPC |
24. Fake OR/CR
Fake OR/CR will result in a cancellation of the franchise after due notice of hearing.
25. Arrogant drivers
| Arrogant drivers | Fine |
|---|---|
| First offense | ₱5,000 |
| Second offense | ₱10,000 and impounding of unit for 30 days |
| Subsequent offense | ₱15,000 and cancellation of CPC |
26. Failure to provide discount under existing laws
| Not giving discounts | Fine |
|---|---|
| First offense | ₱5,000 |
| Second offense | ₱10,000 and impounding of unit for 30 days |
| Subsequent offense | ₱15,000 and cancellation of CPC |
27. Failure to display “no smoking”
| Failure to display “no smoking” | Fine |
|---|---|
| First offense | ₱5,000 |
| Second offense | ₱10,000 and impounding of unit for 30 days |
| Subsequent offense | ₱15,000 and cancellation of CPC |
28. Fast, tampered, defective taxi meter
| Tampered taxi meter | Fine |
|---|---|
| First offense | ₱5,000 |
| Second offense | ₱10,000 and impounding of unit for 30 days |
| Subsequent offense | ₱15,000 and cancellation of CPC |
29. Color scheme violation
| Color scheme violation | Fine |
|---|---|
| First offense | ₱5,000 |
| Second offense | ₱10,000 and impounding of unit for 30 days |
| Subsequent offense | ₱15,000 and cancellation of CPC |
30. No panel route and signboard
| No signboard | Fine |
|---|---|
| First offense | ₱5,000 |
| Second offense | ₱10,000 and impounding of unit for 30 days |
| Subsequent offense | ₱15,000 and cancellation of CPC |
31. Pick and drop of passengers outside the terminal
| Outside terminal | Fine |
|---|---|
| First offense | ₱5,000 |
| Second offense | ₱10,000 and impounding of unit for 30 days |
| Subsequent offense | ₱15,000 and cancellation of CPC |
32. Carrying illegal or prohibited cargoes
| Illegal cargoes | Fine |
|---|---|
| First offense | ₱5,000 |
| Second offense | ₱10,000 and impounding of unit for 30 days |
| Subsequent offense | ₱15,000 and cancellation of CPC |
33. Trip cutting
| Cutting trip | Fine |
|---|---|
| First offense | ₱5,000 |
| Second offense | ₱10,000 and impounding of unit for 30 days |
| Subsequent offense | ₱15,000 and cancellation of CPC |
34. Failure to display fare matrix
| No fare matrix | Fine |
|---|---|
| First offense | ₱5,000 |
| Second offense | ₱10,000 and impounding of unit for 30 days |
| Subsequent offense | ₱15,000 and cancellation of CPC |
Final thoughts
It’s important for all drivers to know the LTO fines and penalties for various offenses. They are in place to ensure road safety and discipline on the roads. Follow the traffic laws and regulations so you can avoid these costly fines.
